Advantages of Linux
- Source code is freely distributed as many programmers continuously review the source code so as to improve performance, eliminate bugs, and strengthen security. No other operating system experiences these intense levels of review.
- Best technical support available as it is supported by commercial distributors, consultants, as well as a very active community of users and developers.
- Extremely stable because properly configured Linux systems will generally run until the hardware fails or the system is shut down. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days up to a year or more are not seen to be unusual.
- Runs on a wide range of hardware as most Linux systems are based on standard PC hardware. Linux supports a very wide range of PC devices as well as a wide range of other computer types: Alpha, Power PC, 680x0, SPARC, and Strong Arm processors. Linux also supports system sizes ranging from PDAs to supercomputers constructed from clusters of systems.
- Full interoperability with many other types of computer systems because it communicates using the native networking protocols of UNIX, Microsoft Windows 95/NT, IBM OS/2, Netware, and Macintosh systems and can also read and write disks and partitions from these and other operating systems.
- Contains all the tools and applications needed across the board, from the market-dominating Apache Web Server to the powerful GIMP Graphics Editor. Free and commercial applications are also available to meet most application needs.
- No vendor lock-in due to the availability of source code. Every user and support provider is empowered to get to the root of technical problems quickly and effectively.
- Low total cost of ownership due to the stability, design, and range of tools available for Linux result in very low operating and maintenance costs.